LaDainian Tomlinson of NFL Network was asked to identify the biggest question for the San Francisco 49ers as the team embarks on its 2020 campaign. Admittedly, he had to nitpick to find a fault in a roster that is just months removed from representing the NFC in Super Bowl LIV.
During a segment for NFL Network's Total Access, Tomlinson identified the 49ers' wide receiver group as the team's potential Achilles' heel.
"It's really based on what I see with the other guys. We know what Deebo Samuel is," explained Tomlinson. "We know that he's coming off a foot injury, and hopefully, he'll get back healthy. But I'm talking about the other guys.
"They drafted Jalen Hurd a year ago, and he spent the entire season pretty much injured. Now, he's a bigger-bodied type of guy that can help them in that red zone where they struggled a bunch last year.
"But I like (first-round pick) Brandon Aiyuk. I think it may take some time for him to develop considering the climate that we're in with the (coronavirus) pandemic, where you can't get out on the field.
"So, depending on how quickly Brandon Aiyuk adjusts to this offense, and how quickly the guys come around, this could be the problem, this could be the Achilles' heel for the 49ers in production out wide. We know Jimmy (Garoppolo), in the past, has struggled throwing the football. He needs those guys outside to step up a little bit more for him."
With Samuel sidelined until at least the start of the regular season, that leaves names like Aiyuk, Hurd, Kendrick Bourne, Trent Taylor, Dante Pettis, Travis Benjamin, Jauan Jennings, and several others to compete for roster spots and their places on the depth chart.
